Family member interested in a hybrid. This all new to me. I see there variations on hybrids.

Plug in hybrid (PHEV) versus just a pure hybrid. Things like battery size and power vary depending on the type evidently.

Who has designed the best hybrids as pure ground up exercise (versus trying to bolt on to an ICE existing power train)? I am seeing Toyota/Lexus and Honda.

Toyota has the best track record. I wouldn't do a Chrysler hybrid but I think most are pretty sorted otherwise.

TSW2012 said:

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Toyota has the best track record. I wouldn't do a Chrysler hybrid but I think most are pretty sorted otherwise.

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The Chrysler hybrid minivan has sold millions. Pretty proven setup. I don't know about other vehicles in their fleet, but the hybrid mini has been around a while and been solid. Lots of them in rental car fleets, so they get used pretty hard.

I'm fairly ignorant of hybrids, but I think the first question would be what you are wanting out of a hybrid. Increased overall gas mileage? Ability to use 100% electric for a short daily commute but having the ICE for longer drives?

Milwaukees Best Light said:

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TSW2012 said:

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Toyota has the best track record. I wouldn't do a Chrysler hybrid but I think most are pretty sorted otherwise.

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The Chrysler hybrid minivan has sold millions. Pretty proven setup. I don't know about other vehicles in their fleet, but the hybrid mini has been around a while and been solid. Lots of them in rental car fleets, so they get used pretty hard.

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I had one of these as a rental for a trip to Hot Springs. Got about 27mpg average and was pretty dang quick for a minivan. The night before I turned it in, I plugged it in and then drove about 17 miles back to the rental place on just electricity. No idea on the reliability, but it's a Stellantis product.

I've owned a 2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid AWD for about 25K miles now as a wifemobile. No reliability concerns whatsoever.

Gets 31 mpg in pretty much any scenario which is incredible for a three row SUV. Can fill up for $35 and get 450 miles of range. Took it from Longview to Branson, MO, then down through the mountain to Hot Springs, and then back to Longview, full of people and luggage. Spent about $80 on gas during the trip.

Toyota uses metal gears in their CVTs so they are more reliable than some of the others. The highlander powertrain is based on the prius drivetrain, which is one of the most reliable vehicles you can buy. The Highlander just uses a bigger gas engine, but it's still just a naturally aspirated DOHC inline four, which has been Toyota's bread and butter forever.

Also had a 2008 Prius rental for 2.5 months back in 2010 while I was working in Atlanta, GA. It averaged 45 mpg and while ultimately slow, the electric motors helped it get off the line. I came away impressed with hybrid tech. I wouldn't mind having an dirt cheap old prius to rack up commuter miles on and keep them off my Raptor.

I like the idea of hybrids in a configuration similar to the new Porsche GTS. Use the electric motors inline with ICE powertrains to boost the power and efficiency of visceral engine configurations that would otherwise be underpowered on noncompliant with federal emissions and fuel economy regulations. The aforementioned car also uses a large electric turbo that eliminates many of the downsides of turbochargers (ie. turbo lag and limited efficiency range).

htxag09 said:

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I'm fairly ignorant of hybrids, but I think the first question would be what you are wanting out of a hybrid. Increased overall gas mileage? Ability to use 100% electric for a short daily commute but having the ICE for longer drives?

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This. Answer this question first and then move to the next box in the flow chart.

I have a 2025 Accord Hybrid. Nice to never have to worry about plugging it in, as the ICE keeps it charged. Only 7.4K miles on it, but 40.0MPG and super smooth/quiet.

I have a 2017 Prius. Not the plug-in version although they do make one. Bought it in 2021 with 75k miles, now it has 140k and zero issues. Usually get fuel economy in the 50s.

My wife has a NX450h+ PHEV and gets about 40 miles EV before the engine kicks on.

If she's just doing her work commute or running errands on her days off, she doesn't use gas at all. She hates pumping gas so she loves it. I think in the two years we've owned it we've put gas in it maybe 20 times, where as I fill up my truck weekly.

Corps_Ag12 said:

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My wife has a NX450h+ PHEV and gets about 40 miles EV before the engine kicks on.

If she's just doing her work commute or running errands on her days off, she doesn't use gas at all. She hates pumping gas so she loves it. I think in the two years we've owned it we've put gas in it maybe 20 times, where as I fill up my truck weekly.

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Very similar situation at our house. Wife has Volvo XC60 PHEV and can go nearly to and from work twice, like 50 miles before needing to charge. Which is good / bad because she usually forgets to plug it in....

Its fun to drive though, we love that thing. Hauls a$$ in electric mode. I will say that the ICE engine is pretty loud with pure gas though. Also possibly just the difference between electric and ICE is kind of startling when you get used to nearly all electric driving.

We have a 2021 Sienna hybrid, it gets about 37 MPG and is fantastic. With this one, it won't go above 25 mph without the gas engine kicking on. If you call for too much acceleration, the gas engine will kick on. It is not an EV, it's a hybrid, so don't expect EV mode to get you around at all. The ICE and the electric motor work together. With Toyota's transaxle, the ICE engine cannot deliver power to the wheels without the high voltage system working, so the "fallback" to an ICE only vehicle is not realistic.

For the PHEV, they typically can run in EV only mode for a short range, and you can also plug in to recharge if you want, and operate like a regular hybrid otherwise. The EV mode can act like a full EV for short ranges. You don't have to plug it in, ever, if you don't want to. That said, I don't know why you wouldn't if it's sitting in your garage overnight.

Any vehicle with a high voltage battery and motor will use regen braking to charge the battery, this is where the efficiency gains come from. Instead of losing that energy to heat in the brake pads and rotors, it's used to generate electricity.